There is compelling new evidence that semi-arid ecosystems are playing a pivotal role in the inter-annual variability and greening trend of the global carbon cycle (Ahlström et al., 2015). The situation is exemplified by the vast inland region of Australia, the driest inhabited continent. Using a global model, Poulter et al. (2014) inferred that Australian ecosystems contributed 57% of a record gl

Background Olaparib is a novel, orally active poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor that induces synthetic lethality in homozygous BRCA-deficient cells. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of olaparib for treatment of advanced ovarian cancer in patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. Methods In this international, multicentre, phase 2 study, we enrolled two sequential cohorts of wome

In February 2007, an epidemic of severe dermatitis from Chinese recliner chairs and sofas started to unfold first in Finland and a few months later in the UK. Some patients reacted in patch tests (PTs) strongly to the material of their furniture, either leather or fabric. There have been hundreds of reports of chair or sofa dermatitis from Finland and the UK, with all cases linked to the same furn

Non-melanoma skin cancers commonly contain Human Papillomavirus (HPV), but the types found have varied depending on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer systems used. Whole genome amplified DNA (not amplified by any specific PCR primers) from 91 skin lesions [41 squamous cell skin carcinomas (SCCs), 8 keratoacanthomas, 22 actinic keratoses, 3 basal cell carcinomas and 17 SCCs in situ] were s

Normal vestibular end organs generate an equal resting-firing frequency of the axons, which is the same on both sides under static conditions. An acute unilateral vestibulopathy leads to a vestibular tone imbalance. Acute unilateral vestibulopathy is defined by the patient history and the clinical examination and, in unclear cases, laboratory examinations. Key signs and symptoms are an acute onset

Aim: This study focuses on the production, purification and characterization of serraticin A, a novel cold-active antimicrobial produced by Serratia proteamaculans 136. Methods and Results: A Ser. proteamaculans strain producing a novel cold-active antimicrobial was isolated from Isla de los Estados, Argentina. Antimicrobial production was optimized in a BIOFLO 101 bioreactor under batch culture m

Weight loss and physical activity have shown favorable effects on risks associated with obesity. It is therefore of interest to evaluate exercise capacity and related co-morbidities in obese patients. We present data from obese subjects evaluated by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) before and after a 7.3 (6.1-8.2) month weight reduction program. 251 subjects completed the test at baseline (BMI 40.6 [

The microstructures of annealed GaAs layers containing 0.1%, 0.5% and 2% Mn are studied using aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The layers were grown by molecular beam epitaxy at 270 ◦C. After heat treatment at 400, 560 and 630 ◦C, they are found to contain precipitate complexes of cubic or hexagonal (Mn, Ga) As, orthorhombic or rhombohedral As and voids. Information abo

The majority of ovarian tumors in girls and young women are nonepithelial in origin. The etiology of nonepithelial ovarian tumors remains largely unknown, and intrauterine exposures may play an important role. We examined the association of perinatal factors with risk of nonepithelial ovarian tumors in girls and young women.

Here we present the 100% complete assignment chemical shift of non-labile H-1, N-15 and C-13 nuclei of Calbindin D-9k P43G. The assignment includes all non-exchangeable side chain nuclei, including ones that are rarely reported, such as LysN zeta as well as the termini. NMR experiments required to achieve truly complete assignments are discussed. To the best of our knowledge our assignments for Ca

The probability of, and time to, fixation of a mutation in a population has traditionally been studied by the classic Wright-Fisher model where population size is constant. Recent theoretical expansions have covered fluctuating populations in various ways but have not incorporated models of how the environment fluctuates in combination with different levels of density-compensation affecting fecund

This article investigates the many female figures mentioned in the Interpreta- tion of Knowledge, the first text of Nag Hammadi Codex XI. The different female figures are identified and the connection between them is clarified. It is argued that the different female characters are part of a version of the Valentinian myth of the falling of the youngest Aeon, which resulted in the wandering astray

The first example of the reaction of an isolated gold(I) complex with an aryl halide to form a C-C bond is reported. The reactivity of (NHC) Au(I)-R complexes towards a wide range of electrophiles was investigated. The Au-C sigma-bond is shown to exhibit low nucleophilicity, but it is reactive towards MeI and MeOTf to form toluene, biphenyl and ethane, most likely through an oxidative mechanism. C

In studies of haemosporidian systematics and taxonomy, a combination of microscopic examination and molecular identification has been recommended. The yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava) is a frequently used species in studies of host-parasite interactions; blood parasites of this bird have been well studied using microscopic examination of blood films, but data on molecular characterization of the p

The thermal stress of the internally finned bayonet tube used for high temperature heat exchangers is numerically investigated by ANSYS software. Three kinds of lateral fin profiles, namely Z-shape, S-shape and V-shape are studied and compared. The significant temperature gradient and largest Von Mises stress are acquired. The largest stress is still generated in the joint of inner fin and outer t

This paper outlines a relational theory of risk. According to this theory, risk emerges from situated cognition that establishes a relationship of risk between a risk object and an object at risk, so that the risk object is considered, under certain contingent circumstances and in some causal way, to threaten the valued object at risk. This relational theory of risk is a theory about the interpret

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a potential source for new biomarkers due to its proximity to the brain. This study aimed to clarify the stability of the CSF proteome when undergoing pre-analytical factors. We investigated the effects of repeated freeze/thaw cycles, protease inhibitors and delayed storage for 4 h, 24 h or 14 days at -20 degrees C, 4 degrees C and room temperature (RT) after centrifug

We have compared the absorption in InP core-shell nanowire p-i-n junctions in lateral and vertical orientation. Arrays of vertical core-shell nanowires with 400 nm pitch and 280 nm diameter, as well as corresponding lateral single core-shell nanowires, were configured as photovoltaic devices. The photovoltaic characteristics of the samples, measured under 1 sun illumination, showed a higher absorp